Testing system arrangement and method for testing

Abstract

This invention relates to a testing system arrangement for assessing the level of a biochemical marker, comprising a disposable device ( 2 ) with a sample inlet ( 4 ) and a at least one visible detection compartment ( 5 A, 5 B), for detection of said bio-chemical marker, a mobile unit ( 8 ) including a digital camera arranged to capture a digital picture ( 60 ) of said at least one visible detection compartment ( 5 A, 5 B), software run on a processor for analysing said picture ( 60 ) to assess said level and means arranged to present the result ( 70 ) of said assessment in a display ( 8 A) of or connected to, said mobile unit ( 8 ), wherein said disposable device ( 2 ) is arranged with at least one reference surface ( 12 ) having a predetermined colour setting that is known to said software to enable exact assessment of the colour within said detection compartment ( 5 A, 5 B) by the use of said reference surface ( 12 ) within said digital picture as a basis reference.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . Testing system for assessing a level of a biochemical marker, said testing system comprising:
 a disposable device ( 2 ) comprising:
 a sample inlet ( 4 ); 
 at least one visible detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B) for detection of said biochemical marker; and 
 at least one reference surface ( 12 ) having a predetermined colour setting; 
   a mobile unit ( 8 ) comprising a digital camera configured to capture a digital picture ( 60 ) of said at least one visible detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B); and   one or more processors and at least one memory including a program, the at least one memory and the program being configured, via the one or more processors, to:   analyse said picture ( 60 ) captured by said digital camera to assess said level of said biochemical marker, said analysis comprising an exact assessment of a colour within said detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B) via use of said reference surface ( 12 ) within said digital picture ( 60 ) and its predetermined colour setting as a basis reference; and   present the result ( 70 ) of said assessment in a display ( 8 A) at least one of on or connected to said mobile unit ( 8 ).   
     
     
         17 . Testing system, according to  claim 16 , wherein said system further comprises separation filter ( 31 ) that is positioned between said inlet ( 4 ) and said detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B). 
     
     
         18 . Testing system according to  claim 16 , wherein there are arranged at least two separate reference surfaces ( 12 ) configured to enable determination via said one or more processors that correct assessment of colour is achieved. 
     
     
         19 . Testing system according to  claim 16 , wherein said program, via the one or more processors, is further configured to enable in situ capturing, processing, and display of the result ( 70 ). 
     
     
         20 . Testing system according to  claim 16 , wherein said presenting of the result ( 70 ) occurs via a remotely positioned server ( 50 ). 
     
     
         21 . Testing system according to  claim 19 , wherein the system further comprises a control means arranged to enable capturing of digital pictures ( 60 ) that meet certain conditions. 
     
     
         22 . Testing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said control means comprises a program on said mobile unit ( 8 ), said program being configured, via the one or more processors, to interactively guide the user in connection with capturing of the picture ( 60 ). 
     
     
         23 . Testing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said control means comprises a template ( 1 ) configured to interactively guide the user in connection with capturing of the picture ( 60 ). 
     
     
         24 . Testing system according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said at least one visible detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B) contains a composition comprising a chemical means (Y) for direct detection of said biochemical marker.   
     
     
         25 . Testing system according to  claim 24 , wherein:
 said composition further comprises an inhibitor (Z) configured to block the biochemical marker up to a certain concentration.   
     
     
         26 . Testing system according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least two separate reference surfaces ( 12 ) comprise three separate reference surfaces ( 12 ). 
     
     
         27 . Method for assessing a level of a biochemical marker, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a disposable device ( 2 ) comprising: a sample inlet ( 4 ), at least one reference surface ( 12 ) having a predetermined colour setting, and at least one visible detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B), said compartment being configured for detection of said biochemical marker;   providing a mobile unit ( 8 ) comprising a digital camera configured to capture a digital picture ( 60 ) of said at least one visible detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B);   analysing, via execution of a program by one or more processors, said picture ( 60 ) to assess said level of said biochemical marker, said analysis comprising an exact assessment of a colour within said detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B) via use of said reference surface ( 12 ) within said digital picture ( 60 ) and its predetermined colour setting as a basis reference; and   presenting, via execution of said program by said one or more processors, the result ( 70 ) of said assessment in a display ( 8 A) at least one of on or connected to said mobile unit ( 8 ).   
     
     
         28 . Method according to  claim 27 , further comprising the step of providing a separation filter ( 31 ) between said inlet ( 4 ) and said detection compartment ( 5 A,  5 B). 
     
     
         29 . Method according to  claim 27 , further comprising the step of providing at least two separate reference surfaces ( 12 ) configured to enable determination via said one or more processors that correct assessment of colour is achieved. 
     
     
         30 . Method according to  claim 27 , wherein said program, via the one or more processors, is further configured to enable in situ capturing, processing, and display of the result ( 70 ). 
     
     
         31 . Method according to  claim 27 , wherein said presenting of the result ( 70 ) occurs via a remotely positioned server ( 50 ). 
     
     
         32 . Method according to  claim 30 , wherein:
 a control means is arranged to enable capturing of digital pictures ( 60 ) that meet certain conditions; and   said control means comprises a program on said mobile unit ( 8 ), said program being configured, via the one or more processors, to interactively guide the user in connection with capturing of the picture ( 60 ).   
     
     
         33 . Method according to  claim 29 , wherein said at least two separate reference surfaces ( 12 ) comprise three separate reference surfaces ( 12 ).